Xiamen, China, April 21, 2017 – Russia’s Nikita Liamin and Viacheslav Krasilnikov get off to a confident strong start at the FIVB Beach Volleyball World Tour Xiamen Open 2017.

The Russians paired up for the first time at the beginning of the season, won Kish Island in February and displayed similar form in their opening match in Xiamen. Liamin/Krasilnikov confidently defeated Ukraine’s Babich/Gordieiev, 2-0 (21-18, 21-11) to enter the round of sixteen.

But they will face no easy task as they go up against Cuba's Sergio Reynaldo Gonzalez Bayard and Diaz Gomez Nivaldo Nadir who are also enjoying 2017 success after winning in Langkawi the week before Xiamen.

The round of sixteen will also see a couple of interesting match ups in the USA teams. Sean Rosenthal and Trevor Crabb have progressed up from ninth seeded qualifiers to meet Julio Cesar Do Nascimento Junior and Ahmed Tijan from Qatar who play in their first FIVB World Tour this year.

USA’s Ryan Doherty and James Avery Drost will face a test when they play Shepparton winners Australia’s Christopher McHugh and Damien Schumann.

In the women’s competition one of the four Brazilian teams will be knocked out as Maria Antonelli and Carolina Horta Maximo play against Josemari Alves and Liliane Maestrini.

In their new partnership Barbara Seixas De Freitas and Fernanda Alves from Brazil made light work of their opening match against China’s X. Y. Xia/Y. Y. Wang 2-0 (21-7, 21-10). The Brazilians face Russia’s Motrich/Makroguzova.

China’s hopes are still alive in Fan Wang and Yuan Yue who will head into their next match against Germany’s Glenzke/Großner.

USA’s Day/Hochevar also have a difficult match on their hands against Finland’s Lehtonen/Parkkinen. The day’s matches will decide the Xiamen semifinal positions.